U.P. intersections see new cameras, controls

LANSING – New controls and cameras installed on three U.P. traffic signals will allow the Michigan Department of Transportation to monitor intersections remotely and check locations for winter maintenance activity.

The new equipment is designed to complement MDOT’s 16 new sensor and camera locations, along with the 14 existing Environmental Sensor Stations, in its U.P. Road Weather Information System. The new signal locations are at:

• US-41 (10th Street/10th Avenue) in Menominee,

• US-2/US-41/M-35 (Lincoln Avenue and Ludington Street) in Escanaba, and

Equipment at the sites will allow MDOT to count traffic volumes, determine vehicle types, and monitor traffic backups to adjust signal timings when appropriate. MDOT also will be able to check pavement conditions and dispatch winter maintenance forces if necessary. “As with the rest of our active ESS throughout the region, the information we gather at these new sites will help us better respond to changing traffic or weather conditions,” said Dawn Gustafson, MDOT Superior Region traffic and safety engineer. “Despite concerns to the contrary, these cameras can’t be used to write tickets for motorists.” Michigan state law currently prohibits “red light cameras.” Though only MDOT will be able to control the cameras, the public can view the collected images on the Mi Drive construction and traffic Web site: www.michigan. gov/drive. The camera views should be available within the next few weeks.

For more information on MDOT’s RWIS program, visit www.michigan.gov/mdot and click on the Roads and Travel button along the left side of the page.